Haikus for Nature VII
July 2025
Following are the haikus I have written in July as part of my ‘What’s Your 60?’ challenge. I have committed to complete the following challenges in 2025 to celebrate the 60th Anniversary of Alberta Wilderness Association (AWA):
Write 60 nature-based haikus
Submit 60 new observations to iNaturalist
Walk 60 km/month
If you wish to sponsor my efforts you can make a tax-deductible donation to Alberta Wilderness Association.
Somnolent
Somnolent poppy
Head bobbing in rain and breeze
Resilient peace
I love poppies of all kinds. I was trying to find out the species of this poppy when I ran across this article: 24 Types of Poppies for Your Garden. I want all of them! There is also a section on the symbolism and meaning of poppies (when you scroll down the page). My guess for this poppy is Papaver orientale - Harvest Moon. If you have another guess, please let me know.
Showy
Standout fuchsia blooms
Camera beckoned to shoot
Catches my mind’s eye
Stillness of Rain
Lightning and Thunder
Oh I love the sound of rain
It quiets my mind
Golden Flash
Flash of Gold
Lovely chirping
Oriole
Baltimore Oriole (Icterus galbula) seen at Lake Newell, Alberta (July, 2025)
Colossal
Drop-off from the plains
Everything is oversized
Where dinosaurs roamed
View overlooking Dinosaur Provincial Park (2025)
July walk challenge - 88.6 km Total to date - 580.7/720 km
July iNaturalist posts - 14 Total to date - 73/60
🔗June Haikus for Nature VI
🔗May Haikus for Nature V
🔗April Haikus for Nature IV
🔗March Haikus for Nature III
🔗February Haikus for Nature II
🔗 January Haikus for Nature
Because July has been full of thunder and lightning, I wished to share this haiku by 17th century Japanese poet Matsuo Bashō.
A jag of lightning--
Then, flitting toward the darkness,
A night heron's scream.
Photo: Michał Mancewicz @kreyatif
